ECOWAS has approved a landmark policy that will abolish all air ticket taxes and cut aviation charges by 25 per cent across West Africa effective January 1, 2026, a move expected to reduce regional airfares by more than 20 per cent and boost travel, trade and economic integration.
ECOWAS Transport and Telecommunications Director Chris Appiah said the decision followed a decade of studies confirming that West Africa has the highest airfares in Africa, with taxes and charges accounting for up to 64–70 per cent of ticket prices. He explained that Heads of State adopted a supplementary act in December 2024 mandating member states to remove all air transport taxes, which he described as inconsistent with ICAO guidelines and harmful to passenger demand.
Appiah emphasised that the reform is central to the region’s integration agenda and that ECOWAS is already engaging airlines to ensure fare reductions are passed on to passengers once the tax burden is eliminated.
In Nigeria, the Federal Government has approved a nationwide upgrade of aviation navigational and communication systems to enhance safety, modernise airport infrastructure and improve passenger experience.
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed that Africa and the Middle East account for 93 per cent of the $1.2 billion in globally blocked airline revenues, underscoring ongoing financial pressures across the region.
Amid the regional policy shift, the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has petitioned the National Executive Council of ATSSSAN, accusing the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) of persistent violations of the union’s financial rules. In a December 9, 2025 petition signed by NATCA President Edino Amos and ex-officio Abayomi Agoro, the association alleged that FAAN repeatedly failed to remit mandatory monthly dues, a breach of Rules 4 (iii) and 4 (iv) of the ATSSSAN constitution, which prohibit withholding dues and mandate automatic suspension after three months of non-remittance.
The petition, copied to all ATSSSAN branches and the Ministry of Labour’s Trade Union Services Department, also cited Rules 6 (vii), 6 (viii) and 6 (x), which require members and branches to be in good financial standing before voting, nominating delegates, or contesting for office. NATCA argued that FAAN’s continued non-compliance makes it ineligible to participate in ATSSSAN’s elections scheduled for this weekend in Jos, Plateau State.
